Drain mechanism for barrel type conveying apparatus



July 30, 1963 .1. PIANowsKl 3,099,275

DRAIN MECHANISM FOR BARREL TYPE CONVEYING APPARATUS Filed April 24, 1961 e sheets-sheet 1 July 30, 1963 L. J. PlANowsKl 3,099,275

DRAIN MECHANISM FoR BARREL TYPE CONVEYING APPARATUS Filed April 24, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 30, 1963 L. J. PIANOWSKI 3,099,275

DRAIN MECHANISM FOR BARREL TYPE CONVEYING APPARATUS f IN VEN TOR.

July 30, 1963 L. J. PlANowsKl 3,099,275

DRAIN MECHANISM FOR BARREL TYPE CONVEYING APPARATUS Filed April 24, 1961 6 SheebS-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

- 4- 1m l mwffr L. J. PlANOWSKl van Mia-l FOR BARREL TYPE CONVEYING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INV EN TOR.

July 30, 1963 L. J. PIANQWSKI DRAIN MECHANISM FOR BARREL TYPE CONVEYING APPARATUS Filed April 24, 1961 6 Sheets-Shet 6 rates l ce 3,099,275 DRAIN MECSM FOR BARREL TYPE CNVEYING APPARATUS Leon I. Pianowski, Detroit, Mich., assignor to The Udylite Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 24, 1961, Ser. No. 105,045 11 Claims. (Cl. 134-46) The present invention broadly relates to conveying apparatus and more particularly to `a barrel-type conveying machine for conveying a plurality of workpieces through a series fof liquid treating stations. More specical-ly, ythe present invention pertains to a selectively actuable drain mechanism operable when 'actuated to retain the workpiece container in a position above the treating solution enabling rotation of the container and tumbling of the workpieces therein to facilitate substantially complete drainage of any treating solution therein thereby minimizing solution drag-'out and drag-in and contamination of succeeding treating solutions.

Because of the difficulty and commercial impracticabi-lity of handling relatively small workpieces indivi-dually during their processing through a :series of treating stations itis conventional to treat such relatively small workpieces in bulk 'by employing a treating mechanism having barrel-like containers in which the workpieces are placed and transported therein through the prescribed treating sequence. The containers are conventionally of a porous or perforated construction to enable the treating solutions to enter and contact the workpieces therein as the containers are sequentially conveyed through the treating stations. Because of the construction of these workpiece containers, the problem is presented of achieving adequate drainage of the containers `after each treating step. This problem is aggravated when the workpieces in the container are cup-shaped or of a general conliguration susceptible to entrapping the treating solution therebetween preventing easy drainage thereof from the workpieces through the perforated walls of .the treating container.

Inadequate drainage of the workpiece container andentrapment of liquid solution in the workpieces causes excessive drag-out resulting in excessive depletion of one treating solution and subsequent excessive contamination of the next successive treating solution in which the inadequately drained workpiece container is immersed. The net result of the excessive drag-out and drag-in of treating solutions is a reduction in the qualityof the surface treatment obtained on the workpieces. Also of importance is the cost of replacement of the contaminated treating solutions and the loss of operating efficiency resulting from periodic shutdowns to enable replacement or replenishment of the contaminated treating solutions.

It is, accordingly, fa primary object of the present invention to provide a drain mechanism for barrel-type conveying apparatus whereby substantially complete drainage is effected from the workpiece container substantially reducing the amount of drag-out and drag-in of treating solution between successive treating stations.

Another object of the present invention is to provide'a drain mechanism for barrel-type conveying apparatus whereby the workpiece container on Withdrawal from `a treating solution is retained and rotated above the treating solution level for a predetermined time period so as to effect 1a tumbling of the Workpieces therein minimizing entrapment of .any treating solution therein.

Still `another object of the present invention is t-o provide a drain mechanismy for a barrel-type conveying apparatus wherein substantially complete drainage of the treating solution from the workpieces and workpiece container can be lachieved more rapidly than heretofore pos- 2 sible thereby greatly improving the operating efficiency of the conveying apparatus.

A `further objective Iof the present invention is to provide `a barrel-drain mechanism for a barrel type conveying `apparatus which is selectively operable to engage and support the workpiece container in ya drain position in which the work container is rotated facilitating drainage of the treating solution therefrom and which drainage mechanism is of -simple design, of durable operation, and which can be simply coordinated with the automatic operating sequence of the conveying machine.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by incorporating a stop mechanism on a conveying machine which is selectively actuable and movable to and from ian operative position and `an inoperative position and when in said operative position is effective to engage the movable frame on which the workpiece container is rotatably mounted during the descending movement thereof whereby the barrel is supported .in a drain position intermedia-te of the raised position and the lowered position and above the liquid level of the treating solution therebelow a-nd in which position the barrel is rotated and the workpieces therein are tumbled so as to enable the escape and drainage of any liquid solution entrapped therein.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will 'become 'apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIGURE l is a plan view of `a typical conveying machine to which the present invention is applicable;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of a barrel-type work carrier movably mounted on the conveying machine shown in FIGURE l.

`FIG. 3 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view of the conveying machine shown in FIGURE l and including a side elevation view of the barrel-type work carrier shown in FIGURE 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view partly in section with parts removed for clarity illustrating the disposition of 'the barrel drain mechanism relative to the work carriers positioned at each treating station, and

FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic wiring diagrams of the ycontrol circuit of the conveying machine.

Referring now in detail to the drawings and as may be best seen in FIGURES l t-o 3, la typical conveying machine to which the drain mechanism comprising the present invention is applicable comprises a central frame 10 including a series of transverse cross members 12 on which van overhead monorail 14 is rigidly secured at the outer end portions thereo-f. The machine as shown is of the turn-around type wherein the monorail 14 extends in a continuous loop above the treating stations and cornprises a pair of straight side sections joined at each of their ends by arcuate turn-around rail sections. A ma- -chine of this general type is fully disclosed in copending United States patent application Serial No. 788,885, filed January 26, 1959, and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. Reference is made to the aforementioned patent `application for 'additional specific details `of the construction and operation of the present conveying machine.

A plurality of Work carriers 16 of the type shown in FIGURES 2 and 3 .are movably mounted on the monorail 14 and are intermittently advanced therealong by an advancing mechanism such as, for example, by a reciprocable pusher mechanism 1S as may be best seen in FIG- URE 3 which is mounted longitudinally of the monorail 14. The pusher mechanism 18 comprises Ia pair of longitudinally reciprocable pusher bars 20 having `a T-shaped cross section which `are slidably mounted in ,a series of guide shoes 22 affixed to the lower side of the cross members 12 and extend longitudinally along the straight side portions of the machine. The pusher bars 2li are provided with a plurality of pivotally mounted pushers 24 which are adapted to engage an engaging arm 26 on each of :the work carriers 16 during the advancing movement thereof whereby the work carriers are advanced along the monorail 14. The pivotally mounted pusher 24 is constructed so as to pivot during the retraoting movement of the pusher bar 20 when it comes in con-tact with the engaging `arm 26 whereby the pusher is pivoted upwardly and across the engaging arm and thereafter drops down behind the engaging arm preparatory to the next advancing movement of the pusher bar. Suitable stop means are incorporated in the pusher which is adapted to engage the depending web of the pusher bar to prevent pivoting movement thereof during the advancing motion of the pusher bar 20. It will be understood that alternate advancing mechanisms such as an intermittently driven continuous chain, for example, can be employed for advancing the work carriers 16 along the monorail 14.

Advancement of the work carriers 16 along the arcuate end portions of the monorail 14 is achieved by a sector plate 28 rotatably mounted at substantially the center of curvature of each of the arcuate end sections of the machine and is provided with a series of pushers 24 thereon of the same type as employed on the pusher bars 20. The sector plate 2S is connected to the pusher bar 20 by suitable linkage arms 30 whereby the reciprocating movement of the pusher bar is transmitted to the sector plate 28 causing oscillating movement thereof in response to the reciprocating movement of the pusher bar. Movement of the pusher bar to and from a retracted position to an advanced position and concurrent oscillation of each of the sector plates 28 is accomplished by a double acting fluid actuated cylinder such as a transfer cylinder 32 having the rod end thereof connected to a lever arm 34 which is connected to one of the pusher bars 20 as may be best seen in FIGURE 1. Accordingly, as the piston rod of the transfer cylinder 32 moves to and from a retracted position to an advanced position, the pusher bars 20 :and the sector plates 28 connected thereto, are caused to reciprocate and oscillate, respectively, to and from a retracted posi-tion and .an advanced position.

The reciprocating movement of the pusher bars and the oscillating movement of the sector plates are directionally controlled by a transfer directional signal limit switch LS21 which is mounted adjacent to the pusher bar as shown in FIGURES 1 and 3 and which is adapted to be tripped by actuators 36a, 3617 when the pusher bar attains the fully advanced and fully retracted positions, respectively. The .actuators 36a and 3612 are adjustably secured to the web of the pusher bar 20. Actuation of the transfer directional signal limit switch LS21 by the `actuators 36a, 3611, is communicated to the central control system of the conveying machine in accordance with the control circui-ts schematically shown in FIGS. and 6 which will be subsequently described in detail.

A typical work carrier 16 is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 which is employed for conveying bulk quantities of relatively small workpieces through a prescribed treating sequence. The work carrier 16 is comprised `of a supporting frame 38 of an inverted U-shaped configuration which is movably mounted on the monorail 14 by means of a pair of trolleys 40 pivotally mounted .to the upper hori- `zontal member thereon and including a series of rollers 42 which are disposed in rolling bearing contact with the horizontal flange of the monorail. A hanger frame 44 is movably mounted on the supporting frame 38 and is movable thereon to and from a raised position and a lowered position. A workpiece container or barrel 46 in which a plurality of workpieces are placed and are carried therein through a prescribed treating sequence is `rotatably mounted on the lower end portion of the .hanger frame 44. The barrel 46 employs a porous or perforated wall construction to enable entry and drainage of the treating solution from the interior of the barrel and assuring intimate surface contact of the solution with the workpieces contained therein.

The hanger frame `44 and barrel 46 rotatably mounted thereon are moved to and from the raised position and the lowered position by means of the coaction between a pinion gear 4S on each end of a transverse shaft 50 rotatably mounted on the hanger frame and which pinion gears are adapted to coact with a gear rack 52 aflixed to each of the upright side portions of the supporting frame 38. Rotation of the transverse shaft 50 is .achieved by reversible power means including a reversible electric motor 54 secured to a transverse member S5 of the hanger frame 44 which is drivingly connected to a suitable gear reducer 56 having a double output shaft one end of which is drivingly connected to a chain 58 which is trained over a sprocket of 1an overrunning coupling 60 mounted on the transverse shaft 50. The other end of the speed reducer output shaft is provided with a gear 62 which is disposed in `constant meshing relationship with an idler gear 64 rotatably mounted on the hanger frame and which in turn is disposed in constant meshing relationship with a driven gear 66 aixed to the side of the barrel 46 for rotation thereof in response to energization of the reversible electric motor 54.

With the reversi-ble drive mechanism illustnated, energization of the reversible electric motor is effective to control both upward and downward movement of the hanger frame and barrel thereon and concurrently provides for rotation of the barrel during the ascending and descending movement thereof land while in the lowered position. This operation is provided by the reversible characteristics of the electric motor 54 and the overrunning characteristics of the overrunning coupling 60. Accordingly, by driving the electric motor 54 .in one direction which in turn drives the overrunning coupling 60 in one direction, the coupling locks up so as to engage the shaft 50 causing the hanger frame and barrel thereon to move upwardly through the coaction between the pinion gears 48 and the gear racks 52. During the ydescending movement of the hanger frame and barrel, the electric motor 54 is rotated in the opposite direction whereby the speed of the downward gravityactuated movement of the hanger frame and barrel is controlled lby the speed of rotation of the transverse shaft 50 which in turn is restricted from rotating faster than the housing of the coupling 60y which is drivingly connected to the gear reducer 56.

When the fully lowered position is attained wherein the ybarrel is di-sposed in a treating receptacle, a pair of stops 68 on the hanger frame 44 mutually engage a pair of projections 70 at the lower end of the side members of the supporting frame 38 as shown in FIG. 2 stopping the descending movement of the hanger yframe and barrel. Thereafter continued barrel rotation is permitted by the overrunning characteristics of the coupling 60 yfor a predetermined time period to enable suflicient treatment of the workpieces contained therein .and on the expiration of wlhich the :direction of rotation of the reversible electric motor 54 is reversed whereby the overrunning coupling 60 engages or lock-s up driving the transverse shaft 50 whereby the hanger frame moves upwardly from the lowered position to the lraised position. The upward travel limit of the hanger fname 44 is limited by actuation of an npr-travel limit switch such as limit switch LSZB illustrated in FIG. 2, which is interlocked with the central control circuit causing deenergization of the electric motor 54. Up-travel limit switches are provided -at each treating station wherein the barrel is moved upwardly from the lowered position. Each of the up-travel limit switches is provided with an actuator rod 72 as shown in FIG. 2, which is movable to :and from an unactuated position as shown in solid lines to yan -actuated position as shown in phantom by a cam member 74 secured to the hanger frame 44 and disposed in vertical alignment therewith. The

hanger frame and barrel are retained in the raised position by means of a self-locking worm wheel feature ernbodied in the gear reducer unit 56.

Electrical energy is supplied to the reversible drive mechanism of each of the work carriers 16 by means of a stationary contacter 76 including contacts 77 disposed at each treating station and lsupported on the central frame by means of a series of hanger brackets 73 rigidly affixed thereto. The contacts 77 of the stationary contactor 76 rare disposed so as to electrically contact the pickup brushes Sla of pickup switch 80 mounted on the supporting yframe 38 of each of the work carriers 16 when each of the work carriers 'are appropriately positioned at each treating station. Energization of the contacts of the stationary contactors 64 is controlled in laccord'ance with the central control system of the conveying machine as will be subsequently described in detail. In the exemplary conveying machine illustrated, the stationary contactor '76 and pickupl switch 80 :are provided with three contacts 77 and brushes 81, respectively, to supply 3phase 4alternating current to the electric motor 54 mounted on the hanger fname.

In order to supply electrical current to the workpieces contained in the barrel 46 -at such stations wherein electroplating operations, for example, are to be performed thereon, each work carrier is provided with a conductor 82 which extends downwardly along the :side members of the hanger frame 44 and from there inwardly into the interior of the barrel through the barrel mounting bearing so as to contact the workpieces therein. The upper end of the conduct-or 82 is electrically connected to a resil-iently biased contact shoe S4 which is supported on the supporting frame 38 and which is adapted to electrically engage a bus bar 86 disposed at those stations at which ian electroplating operation is to be performed.

In the exemplary conveying machine shown in FIG- URE l, `a total of 20 treating :stations are provided which are generally designated at S-ll to S-Ztl. The workpieces are loaded into the :barrels 46 of the work carriers `at the loading `station S-ll and are thereafter transferred in the direction of the arrows as shown in FIGURE 1 through a series of single station treating receptacles 38 located at stations S-Z through S-' wherein `a preliminary cleaning phase, for example, is accomplished on the workpieces. Thereafter, the workpieces are conveyed by the work carriers through a multiple station treating receptacle 90 compris-ing stations S- to S43 through which the barrels and workpieces therein are sequentially advanced while in the lowered position. When the work carriers reach the last station S-ll3 of the multiple station treating receptacle 90, the barrel 46 is raised and is thereafter transferred through an adjoining series of single lstation treating receptacles S8 located at tre-ating stations S44 to S49. As the barrels are conveyed through the treating sequence, the up and down movement thereof is communicated to the central control system by means of the barrel up-travel limit switches LSlB to LS7B and LSSB to LSZGB located at tre-ating stations S-1 to S-7 and S-l3 to S-Z, respectively, wherein an elevating movement of the barrel is lachieved. At the completion of the entire treating sequence, the workpieces are unloaded sat the unload station S-Ztb disposed adjacent to the load station S-It.

It will be apparent from the foregoing operating sequence that during the transfer of the barr-el to Kfrom; one single station treating receptacle 88 to the next adjoining treating receptacle, the `barrel must first be moved from a lowered position to ya raised position and thereafter transferred above the intervening tank partitions. The barrel thereafter is lowered lfrom the raised position to the lowered position whereby the workpieces are immersed in the treating :solution contained therein. This operation presents the problem of drag-out of treating solution during the ascending movement of the barrel and drag-in of treating solution to the next adjoining treating receptacle causing a loss of expensive treating solution and a contamination of the treating solution contained in the adjoining treating receptacle. The drain mechanism comprising the present invention minimizes or substantially eliminates any drag-out and dnag-in problems thereby minimizing treating solution waste, contamination, and depletion `and concurrently provides for more efficient and superior surface treatments of the workpieces contained in the barrels.

The drain mechanism comprising the present invention can be best described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. As shown in these drawings, the drain mechanism cornprises a longitudinally reciprocable angle-iron slide member 9-2 disposed along each of the straight side sections of the conveying machine which `are connected at their ends to an arcuate section 94 pivotally connected by means of a link 96. A series of engaging shoes 98 are slidably mounted on the upper flange of an l-beam member .100 extending in a continuous loop around the machine adjacent to the monorail 14. The I-beam member 100 is supported by means of a series of braces 102 iixedly secured to the upright columns of the central frame 10. The lower portion of the 'l-beam member 100` can be employed for supporting the bus bar 36 as shown in FIG. 3 to supply electrical energy to the workpieces contained in the barrel.

Each of the engaging shoes 9S are secured to the longitudinally reciprocable slide members 92 and arcuate sections 94 and are reciprocable thereby to and from an 0perative position and an inoperative position. Reciprocation of the engaging shoes 98 is achieved by a doubleacting iuid actuated cylinder, for example, such as cylinder 15M having the closed end thereof mounted on the central frame and the rod end thereof adjustably connected to an ear 1% extending from and connected to one of the slide members 92. Accordingly, the reciprocating movement of the actuating cylinder i104 is transmitted to the slide member on each side of the machine and the arcuate sections 94 pivotally connected thereto for moving the engaging shoes 98 in unison -to and from an operative position and an inoperative position.

The engaging shoes 98 when disposed in the operative position are adapted to engage a rearwardly extending member 1F38 affixed to the hanger frame d4 of each of the work carriers for halting the gravity actuated descending movement thereof at a drain position intermediate of the raised position and the lowered position wherein the barrel 4e is -disposed above the solution level in a treating receptacle therebelow. When the hanger frames and barrels are in the drain position the actuator rods 72 connected to the up-travel limit switches are released by the cam members 74. The barrel, when in the intermediate or drain posi-tion, is rotated by the reversible drive mechanism as enabled by the overrunning coupling incorporated therein whereby the workpieces in the barrel 46 are tumbled so as to enable substantially complete escape of any treating solution entrapped therein. The duration of rotation of the barrel in the drain position can be controlled by a suitable drain dwell timer incorporated in the central control system to achieve a desired drain period to assure substantially complete drainage of the treating solution from the barrel. At the expiration of this predetermined drain dwell period, the direction of rotation of the reversible electric motor 54 is reversed whereby the barrel is again elevated to the raised position preparatory to transfer to the next adjoining treating receptacle.

The engaging shoes 98 when in the inoperative position are disposed out of alignment with the engaging members w3 on the work carriers enabling unrestricted downward movement of the barrel `to the fully lowered position. The movement of the engaging shoes 93 to and from the operative position and inoperative position is communicated to the central control system by means of a limit switch LSZl stationarily mounted on the central frame as shown in FIG. 4 which is adapted to be tripped by actua- 7 l tors 1110a, 110b when the fully advanced or operative position, and fully retracted or inoperative position are attained, respectively.

The movement of the engaging shoes 98 to and from the operative position and inoperative position is automatically coordinated with the ascending and descending movement of the hanger frame and barrels thereon and the advancing movement of the work carriers by means of the central control system. The engaging shoes are preferably removably attached to the slide members 92 and arcuate sections 94 whereby they can be detached therefrom and inactivated at any desired station so as to readily accommodate any desired arrangement of the treating receptacles. In accordance with the practice of the present invention, an engaging shoe 93 is provided at each station wherein the barrel 46 is withdrawn from a treating receptacle such as stations S2 to S-' and S-13 to S-19. inasmuch as the barrels remain in the lowered position in the multiple station treating receptacle 9@ engaging shoes are not required at stations S-S to S-12. Similarly, engaging shoes are ordinarily not necessary at the load station S-1 and unload station S-Zt which may be provided with manually operated controls to enable convenient loading and unloading of the workpieces in the barrel.

The integration of the barrel drain mechanism with the normal machine operation as previously described, provides a processing cycle commencing with the loading of the workpieces in a rotatable barrel at the load station and thereafter transferring the loaded barrel while in the elevated position to the tirst treating station. The barrel is thereafter lowered and rotated into a liquid treating station and maintained therein for a preselected treatment period. At the expiration of the prescribed treatment period, the barrel is raised to the fully elevated position after which the drain mechanism is actuated. Thereafter, the barrel is again lowered to an intermediate drain position where it is retained and rotated to drain substantially all of the treating solution therefrom. At the completion of a prescribed drain period, the barrel again is raised to the fully elevated position after which the pusher bar is actuated effecting the transfer of the barrel to the next adjacent treating station.

A typical operating sequence of the exemplary conveying machine shown in ,FIGURE 1 provided with a barrel drain mechanism in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention, will now be described with particular reference to the central control system as diagrammatically shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The Wiring diagrams of FIGS. 5 and 6 comprise a single circuit wherein the wiring diagram of FIG. 5 is electrically connected to the wiring diagram of FIG. 6 at junctions Xl-Xl, Yl-Yl, and Z1-Z1, respectively. To facilitate identification of the components in the electrical circuit shown in the drawings, motor control relays are designated as CM; control relays are designated as CR, and latch relays are designated as LU with their close or latch coils indicated with a C and their trip coil indicated with a T' The individual wiring circuit of the reversible drive mechanism of each of the work carriers is schematically shown in FIG. 5, of which the carrier at station S-1 is typical. The circuit includes the reversible electric motor 54 which is electrically connected by conductors 112, 114 and 116 to the manually operable contacts SW-l, 'SW-2, and SW-3, of a manually operated switch `11S mounted on the supporting frame 33 of the work carrier as may be best seen in FIG. 2 within convenient access of the machine operator. The contacts SVV-1, SVV-2, and SW-3 of the manual switch 118 are electrically connected to the brushes 81 of the pickup switch Si? which in turn are adapted to be disposed in electrical contact with the contacts 77 of the stationary contactor 76. The contacts 77 of the stationary contactor 76 are in turn electrically connected to suitable motor overloads and thence d to motor control contacts which are operable in response to energization of motor control relays CM1 to CM2()` as shown in FIG. 6.

The contacts 77 lof the stationary contactors 76 of stations S-1 to S-'7 and S413 to S-2tl are electrically connected to conductors L1A, LEA, and LSA which is provided with linereversing contacts CRSU-d and CRBD-rifor reversing the direction of rotation of the reversible `electric motors -at those stations to :achieve the appropriate ascending and descending movement lof the hanger frames and barrels thereon. The contacts 77 of the stationary contactor '76 at stations S- to 8 1?. are electrically `connected to conductors L1B, LEB and LSB, having no reversing contacts therein inasmuch as the barrels at stations S-9 to S-12 remain lin the lowered position and are merely rotated in that posit-ion during their ladvancement through the multiple station treating receptacle 9o as shown in FIGURE 1. The barrel at station S-8 is only lowered from the raised position to the lowered position and no reversing electric current is required.

The operating cycle of the conveying machine will now be described commencing with the position wherein the work carriers 16 and the barrels thereon are in the full raised position at treating stations S-1 to S-7 `and S-13 to S-2, and are in the fully `lowered position at stations S-S to S-12. In this position the up-travel signal limit switches LS1B to LS7B and LS13B to LSZDB are actuated by the cam member 74 on each of the work carriers. The transfer cylinder 32 and the pusher mechanism are in the fully retracted position and the transfer directional signal limit switch LS21 is fully actuated by actuator 32h and the engaging shoes 98 are disposed in the retracted or inoperative position whereby the limit switch 1.822 is actuated by actuator 11tlb.

The machine is energized by closing the main disconnect switch 121) whereby electrical current flows through conductors L1, L2 Iand L3, energizing a control transformer 122 supplying current to the control circuit. Push-button start switch 124 is depressed energizing motor control relay CM21 which on energizat-ion closes its holding contact CM21-1 enabling the start switch 124 to be released and simultaneously closes its contacts CMZl-Z energizing the hydraulic pump motor 126 whereby a flow of pressurized iluid commences in the machine hydraulic system. The control circuit pushbutton starter switch 128 is next depressed energizing control relay CR1 which closes its holding contact CRl-ll enabling the Start button 12S to be released and closes its contacts CR1-2 and CRL?) energizing the control circuit of the machine. The hydraulic motor circuit and the machine control circuit can be deenergized by depressing stop push-button switches 13h` and 132, respectively.

At the instant that the control circuit of fthe machine is energized, the close of coil of the barrel-up signal latch relay LU1 is energized throuh transfer directional sign-al limit switch contact LS21-1 and barrel-up travel limit switch series contacts LS1B-1 to LS7B-1 'and LS13B-1 to LSZB-ll and normally closed contact LUZ-1. On energizat-on of the rcliose coil of latch relay LU1, its normally open contacts LUI-1, LUl-Z and LU'1-4 close Iand its normally closed contacts LU1-3, LU1-5, .and LUL-6 contacts open. The closing of contact LUI-1 energizes the drain mechanism forward control relay Cl through contacts LUL-1, CRSU-l, CR3D-1, CR7-1, and LUS-1. Energization o-f control relay CRS causes its normally open contact CRS-1 to close energizing forward solenoid LA whereby pressurized uid is directed into the blank end of the transfer cylinder 1M whereby the slide member and engaging shoes thereon commence their advancing movement from the inoperative position to the operative position. At the `completion of the forward movement of the slide member, directional signal limit switch LSZZ is operated by actuator llltla closing its contacts 9 LSZZ-l and LS22-3 land opening its contacts LS22-2 and LS22-4.

The closi-ng of contact LS22-1 causes the close coil of drain mechanism forward signal latch relay LU3y to be energized through contacts LUl-l, CRSU-l, CR3D-1, CR7-l, and LS22-l which in turn closes its normally open contacts LU3-2 and LUS-3` and `opens its normally closed contacts LU3-1 and LUS-4. The closing cf contact LUS-3 causes the closed coil `of travel directional signal latch relay LU2 to be energized through contacts LUS-3, LUI-2, and LU4-1. Latch relay LU2 closes its nonrnally open contact LUZ-2 and opens its normally closed contacts LUZ-l and LUZ-3. The closing of contact LUZ-2 energizes the d-own coil CRSD of line reversing contactor which closes its normally open contacts CR3D-3, CR3D-4 and `CR3D-5 and opens its normally closed contacts CRSD-l and CR3D-2. Simultaneously, down signal control relays CR5 and CR6 are energized through contact LUZ-2 which close their contacts CRS-l to CRS-8 and CR6-l to CR6-7, respectively, thereby energizing lmotor control relays CM1 land CM7 and CMlS to CM2() which in turn close their corresponding motor control contacts CMfl-l to CM7-1 and CMlS-l to CM-1, respectively.

The instant that line reversing contacts CR3D-4 are closed, electrical energy is supplied to the reversible electric motors of the work carriers positioned at stations S-l to S-7 and Sl3 to S-Ztl whereby they commence their downward movement. The reversibile electric motors of the work carriers at stations S-AS to S42 yare energized on the closing of contact CR3D-5, energizing their respective motor control relays CMS to CMM which in turn close their respective contacts CMS-1` t-o CMl2-1 whereby the barrels of these work carriers comm-ence to rotate while in the lowered position.

As the barrels at stations S-l to S-7 and S-l3 to S-Zi descend, barrel-up signal limit switches at these stations are released closing their contacts LSlB to LS7B and LSl3B to LSZB `and opening their contacts LSlB-l to LS7B-1 and LSISB-l to LSZBAI. The barrels continue their descending movement until the engaging member 108 on the hanger frame of the ywork carriers engages the engaging shoe 98 of the barrel drain mechanism whereby the barrels are halted in a drain position above the treating solution in the treating receptacle therebelow and the lbarrels continue to rotate tumbling the workpieces therein thereby facilitating drainage of any entrapped treating solution.

The duration of the drain cycle is controlled by a suitable drain-dwell timer TR1 which is energized through contacts LUl-3 and LS22-3, the instant the trip coil of latch relay LUl is energized on the closing of contact LUZ-2. The tripping of latch relay LUl also deenergizes drain mechanism forward control relay CRS through contact LUlll which opens its contact CRi-ll deenergizing forward solenoid valve LA. It is conventional for the drain dwell timer TR1 to be set for a dwell period substantially shorter than that of the down dwell timer TR2 which is employed for controlling a predetermined down-dwell treating period of the workpieces when in the fully lowered position. Accordingly, while both the down-dwell timer TR2 and the drain dwell timer TR1 are energized on the closing of normally closed contacts LUI-3, the shonter timing duration of the drain dwell timer TR1 controls the drain portion of the cycle.

Energization of the drain dwell timer TR1 causes it to close its normally open contact TRl-l. At the eX- piration of a predetermined drain dwell period, the drain dwell timer TR1 closes its normally open contact TR1-2 energizing the trip coil of travel directional latch relay LUZ causing it to become unlatched thereby closing its normally closed contacts LUZ-1 and LUZ-3 and opening its normally open contact LUZ-2. The opening of normally open contact LU2-2 deenergizes down signal control relays CRS and CRn which open their contacts CRS-1 to CR5-8 and CRG-lvto CRn-'7, respectively. Simultaneously, the down coil CR3D of the line reversing contactor is deenergized closing its normally closed contacts CRSD-l and CR3D-2 and opening .its normally open contacts CR3D-3, CR3D-4, and CR3DS- The opening of line reversing contact CRSD-fi deenergizes the reversible motors of the work carriers at stations S-1 to S-7 and S-13 to S-Zl). Simultaneously, the reversible electric motors of the work carriers positioned at stations S-S to S-12 are deenergized by the opening of Contact CRSD-S, deenergizing their respectivemotor control relays CMS to CMlZ which in turn open their respective contacts CMR-1 to CMl2-1.

The closing of contact CR3D2 energizes line reversing contactor up coil CRSU through contacts LSZl-l, LUI-5, LUZ-3, and CR3D-2 which in turn closes its normally open contacts CR3U-2, CR3U-4, and CR3U-5 and opens its normally closed contacts CREU-lr and CR3U-3. The closing of line reversing contacts CR3U-4 supplies reversing electric current to the reversible electric motors of the work carriers positioned at stations S-l to S-7 and S-l3 to S-20 which commence their elevating movement from the drain position to the raised position. Simultaneously, the closing of contact CR3U-S reenertgizesmotor control relays CMS to CMlZ which close their respective contacts energizing .the reversible electric -motors of the work carriers at stations S-S to S-IZ, which commence to rotate in the ysarne direction remaining in the lowered position. The closing 4of contact CRSU-Z energizes the close coil of drain cycle latch relay LU4 through contacts LUS-2 and CR3U-2 which opens its normally closed contact LU4-1 and closes its normally open contacts LU4-2 through LU4-4. l

When the barrels at stations S-l to S-7 and S-13 to S-Zt attain the fully raised position, barrel-up ltravel signal limit switches LSlB to LS'B and LSll3B to LSZtlB are actuated opening their contacts LSlB to LS7B and LS13B to LS20B deenergizing the motor control relays at these stations which open their respective contacts deenergizing the reversible electric motors of the work carriers at these stations. At the same time, `actuation of the barrel-up travel signal limit switches causes their series contacts LSlB-l to LS'E-l and LSISB-l to LS2tlB-1 to close whereby the close coil tof barrel-up signal switch relay LUI is energized through the series contacts and LUZ-1. Energization of the close coil of latch relay LUl causes it to close its normal open contacts LUll-1, LUI-2, LU1-4 and open its normally close coutacts LUI-3, LUl-S, and LUl-.

Latching of latch relay LUl causes its Contact LUl-S to open deenergizing the up coil CRSU of the line reversing contactor which closes its normally closed contacts CRSU-l and CRSU-S and opens its normally open contacts CR3U-2, CR3U-4 and CRSU-S. The opening of line reversing contacts CR3U-4 removes electrical power from the line side of motor control contacts at stations S-l to S-7 and S-13 to S-20. Simultaneously, the opening of contact CR3U-5 deenergizes motor control relays CMS to CM12 which open their respective contacts removing energy from the stationary contactor at stations S-S to S-12.

Drain mechanism return control relay CR9 is `energized through ,contacts LUl-l, CR3U-1, CRD-l, CR7-1, LS21-1, LUI-4 and LU4-2 contacts which in turn closes lts contact CR9-1 energizing return solenoid LB whereby pressurized fluid is directed into the rod end of the cylinder 04 whereby the slide member and engaging shoes 98 thereon commence their retracting movement. When the retracted position is attained wherein thel engaging shoes 98 are disposed in the inoperative position, directional signal limit switch LSZZ is actuated by actuator b which closes its contacts LS22-2 and LS22-4 and opens its contacts LSZZ-l and LS22-3. The opening of contact LS22-1 deenergizes drain mechanism return conlll trol relay CR9 which opens its contacts CRg-l, deenergizing return solenoid LB. Simultaneously, transfer forward signal control relay CR2 is energized through contacts LUl-l, CR3U-1, CRSD-l, CR7-, LSZZ-Z, and LU4-4, which in turn opens its normally closed contact CR2-1 and closes its normally open contact GRZ-2 energizing forward transfer solenoid KA enabling pressurized fluid to flow into the blank end of the transfer cylmder 32 whereby the pusher mechanism commences its advancing movement and the work carriers and barrels thereon which are substantially free of any drag-out treating solution, are advanced to the next adjoining treating station.

As the pusher mechanism approaches the fully advanced position, transfer directional signal limit switch LSZll is actuated by actuator 35a which opens its contact LSZl-l and closes its contact LSZl-Z. The closing of contact LS2l-2 energizes the close coil of travel directional signal latch relay LU2 which opens its normally closed contacts LUZ-1 and LUZ-3 and closes its normally open contact LUZ-2. The closing of contact LU2-2 energizes the down coil CRSD of the line reversing contactor through contacts LU2-2 and CR3U- which in turn opens its normally closed contacts CR3D-1 and CR3D-2 and closes its normally open contacts CRSD-S, CR3D-4, and CR3D-5. Simultaneously, the trip coil of latch relay LUl is energized through contact LUZ-2 which opens its normally open contacts LUI-1, LUI-2, and LUl-Aland closes its normally closed contacts LU1-3, LUl-S and LUI-6. The closing of contact LUl-S energizes the down dwell timer TR2, closes its contact TR2-ll and commences to time a predetermined down dwell period. The trip coil of drain mechanisml forward signal latch relay LU3 is energized through contacts CRSD-S and LU4-3 which in turn closes its contact LUS-4 energizing the trip coil of drain cycle latch relay LU4- through contact CR3D-3. Latch relays LUS and LU4 return to their normal unlatched position. Transfer forward control relay CRZ is deenergized on the opening of contact CR3D-1 which opens its contact CK2-2, deenergizing the forward solenoid KA and closes its normally closed contact CK2-l.

Electrical energy is supplied to down signal control relays CRS and CR6 through contact LUZ-Z which in turn close their respective contacts CRS-l to CRS-8 and CR6-1 to CR6-7 `energizing their respective motor control relays which in turn close their contacts CM1-1 to CM7-l and CMlS-l to CMZ-l. Energization of the reversible electric motors occurs on the closing of line reversing contacts CR3D4 wherein electric power is supplied to the work carriers at stations S-l to S-7 and S-13 to S-ZQ. The carriers at these stations with the exception of station S-13, wherein the carrier is already in the lowered position, commence their descending movemeut. The barrels of the work carriers at the stations S- to S-12 are energized on the closing of contact CRSD-S wherein the barrel -at station S-S commences its downward movement and the barrels `at stations S-9 to S-12 commence to rotate while in the lowered position.

As the barrels descend, barrel-up travel limit switches LSIB to LS7B and LSMB to LSZllB are released closing their respective contacts LSlB to LS7B and LSH-B to LSZOB. When the pusher mechanism attains the fully retracted position travel directional signal limit switch LS21 is actuated by actuator 36h opening its contact LSZl-Z and closing its contact LS21-l. Opening of contact LSZll-Z deenergizes transfer return control relay CR7 which opens its normally open contact CIU-2, deenergizingA return solenoid KB.

When the barrels at stations S-l to S-S and S-14 to S-Ztl attain the fully lowered position they continue to rotate in that position along with the barrels at stations S-9 to S-13 which were retained in the lowered position. Upon the expiration of a predetermined down dwell period as timed by the down dwelltimer TR2, its contact TR2-2 closes energizing the trip coil of travel directional signal latch relay LUZ through contacts LSZl-l, TR2-4 and TR2-2. Latch relay LUZ becomes nnlatched, opening its contact LUZ-2 `and closing its contacts LUZ-1 and LUZ-3. The opening of contact LUZ-Z deenergizes down signal control relays CRS and CR6 which open their contacts CRS-1 to CRS-8 and CR61 to CR6-7, respectively. Simultaneously, the down coil CR3-D of line reversing contacter is deenergized on the opening of contact LU22 which in turn opens its contacts CR3D-3 through CRSD- S and closes its contacts CR3D-1 and CRSD-Z.

The opening of contact CRSD-S deenergizes motor control relays CMS to `CMlZ at stations S- to S-lZ whereby the barrels at these stations cease to rotate. Simultaneously, line reversing contacts CR3D-4 are open, deenergizing the stationary contactor at stations S-l to S-7 and S-l3 to S-Ztl. The closing of contact CR3D-2 ener-gizes the up coil CRSU of the line reversing contactor through contacts LSZl-l, LUI-5 land LUZ-3, which in turn closes its contacts CRZU-Z, CR3U-4 and CR3U-5 and opens its contacts CR3U-1 and CR3U-3.

The closing of contact CR3U-5 energizes the motor control relays CMS to CMllZ which close their respective contacts `CMS-1]. to CMM-1 whereby the barrels at stations S-S to S-ll2 again commence to rotate in `the same direction while in the lowered position. The closing of line reversing contacts CR3D4 supplies reversing electrical current to the stationary contactors at stations S-1 to S7 and S-13 tot S-20 whereby the barrels commence their ascending movement.

The barre-ls ,at stations S-1 to S-7 and S-13 to S-20 continue their ascending movement until the cam member 7 4 on each o-f the work carriers contacts the actuator rod 72 of the barrel up-travel limit switches at each of these stations. Actuation of the barrel up-travel signal limit switch causes their contacts LSlB to LS7B and LS13B to LSZB to open deenergizing the motor control relays CM1 to CM7 and CM'lS to CM20 which in turn open their respective contacts CM1-1 to CM7-1 and CM13-1 to CMN-1 whereby fthe reversible electric motors of the work carriers at these stations are deenergized with the barrels in the fully raised position. At the same time the close coil of barrel-up signal latch relay LUl is energized through series contacts LSlB-l to LS7B-1 and LS13B-1 to LSZB-l .and contact LUZ-1 which in turn closes its contacts LUI-1, `LUI-2, and LUI-4 and opens its contacts LUI-3 and LUI-5. The opening of contact LUI-5 deenergizes the up coil CRSU of the line reversing contactor which in turn closes its contacts CRSU-l and CR3U-3, and opens its contacts CR3U-2, CR3U-4 and CR3U-5.

The barrels at stations S2 to S-7 and S-13 to S-19 which have Ibeen raised tfrom a lowered position in a treating receptacle to a raised .position above that receptacle contain entrapped treating solutions therein which is `substantially eliminated -by the subsequent drain cycle prior to rtransfer to the next adjoining treating receptacle in accordance with fthe cycle hereinhefore described. As hereinbefore stated, the unload station S-Ztl` and load station S-l may be provided with automatic loading or unloading eqnipment for handling the work-pieces to be processed.

While it will he apparent that fthe preferred embodiments herein illustrated are well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible rto modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the ysubjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a work carrier for immersing workpieces in a treating receptacle, the combination comprising a first frame, a second frame movably and guidably mounted on said first frame and including a workpiece container rotatably mounted thereon, power means on said second frame for moving said second frame and said container thereon to and from a raised posi-tion above a treating receptacle and a lowered position wherein said container and workpieces therein are disposed in a receptacle and for concurrently rotating said container when in said lowered position and during the ascending and descending movement thereof, coasting means on said first and second frames Ifor limiting the descending movement of said container in -said lowered position, and stop means selectively -actuable for engaging -said second Vframe and stopping the descending movement thereof at a drain position wherein said container is disposed intermediate said raised and said lowered positions and above a treating receptcle whereby drainage of the treating solution from the workpieces in said container is facilitated as said container is rotated.

2. In a Work carrierA for immersing workpieces in a treating receptacle, the combination comprising a first frame, a second frame movably and guidably mounted on said first frame and including a workpiece container rotatably mounted thereon, reversible drive means mounted on said second frame operative when driving in one direction for' movingsaid second frame and said container thereon from a raised position above a treating receptacle to a lowered position wherein said container and workpieces therein are disposed in a receptacle and for concurrently rotating said container when in said lowered position and during the descending movement thereof, said drive means operable when driven the opposite direction for moving said second frame and said container thereon from said lowered position to said raisedposition and for concurrently rotating said container during the ascending movement therof, enacting means 'on said first and said second frames for limi-ting the descending movement of said container in said lowered position, and stop means selectively actuable for engaging said second fname and stopping the descending movement thereof at a drain position wherein said container is disposed intermediate of said raised and said lowered positions and above a treating receptacle wherebydrainage of the treating solution from the workpieces in said container is facilitated as said container is rotated. 'Y

3. In a work carrier for immersing workpieces in a treating receptacle, the combination comprising a rst frame, a second frame movably and guidably mounted on said rst frame and including a workpiece container rotatably mounted thereon, reversible drive means mounted on said second fname for moving said second frame and said container thereon to and from a raised position above a treating receptacle and a lowered position wherein said container and workpieces therein are disposed in a receptacle and for concurrently rotating said container when in said lowered position and during the ascending and descending movement thereof, said reversible drive means including shaft means rotatably mounted on said second frame, coacting means on said shaft means and said first frame for relative driving therethrough, overrunning coupiing means on said shaft means drivingly connected to a reversible motor means on said second frame, means drivingly connecting said container to said motor means for rotation thereof in response tov rotation of said motor means, said motor means when rotated in one direction operative to rotate said container and said shaft means and move said second frame upwardly and when rotated in the opposite direction operative in combination with said overrunning coupling means to rotate said container and for releasing said shaft means to provide for downward gnavlity actuated movement of said second frame, means for limiting the' downward gravity actuated movement of said container when it attains said lowered position, and stop means selectively actuable for engaging said second frame andstopp'ing the descending gravity movement thereof at a drain position wherein said container is disposed intermediate of sa'id raised and said lowered positions and 14 above a treating receptacle whereby drainage of the treating solution from the workpieces in said container is facilitated as said container is rotated.

4. In a work carrier for immersing workpieces in 1a treating receptacle, the combination comprising a first frame, a second frame movably and guidably mounted on said first frame and including a workpiece container rotatably mounted thereon, reversible drive means mounted on said second frame for moving said secondl frame and said container thereon to and from a rai-sed position above a treating receptacle land a lowered posi-y tion wherein said container and workpieces therein are disposed in .a receptacle and for concurrently rotating said container when in said lowered position and during the ascending :and descending movement thereof, said reversible drive means including shaft means rotatably mounted on -said second frame, coacting means on said shaft means and said first frame for relative driving therethrough, overrunning coupling means on said shaft means drivingly connected to a reversible motor means on said second frame, means drivingly connecting said container to said motor means for rota-tion thereof in response to rotation of said motor means, said motor means when rotated in one direction operative to rotate said container and said shaft means and move said second frame upwardly and when rotated in the `opposite direction openaftive in combination with said overrunning coupling means to rotate said container and for releasing said shaft means to provide for downward gravity actuated movement of said second frame, means for limiting the downward gravity actuated movement of said container when i-t attains said lowered position, and stop means movable to and from an operative position and an inoperative position4 for selectively engaging said second frame during the descending gravity actuated movement thereof l for selectively stopping said second frame at a drain posi- -tion disposed intermediate said raised and said lowered positions wherein said container is disposed above a treating receptacle facilitating the drainage of treating solution from the workpieces as said container is rotated in said drain position, means for moving said stop means Ito and from said operative and said inoperative positions, :and control means for energizing and controlling fthe direction of rotation of said reversible motor means and for coordinating the movement of said stop means.

5. A conveying machine comprising a framework, a rail on said framework, a work carrier including a first fname movlably mounted on said rail and a second frame guidably mounted on said rst frame for up and down movement thereon, a workpiece container rotatably mounted on said second frame, power means on said second frame for moving said second frame and said container thereon to and from a raised position wherein said container is disposed above a treating receptacle to a lowered position wherein said container is disposed in the receptacle and for rotating said container while in said lowered position and during the ascending and descending movement thereof, coacting means on said first and said second frames for limiting the descending movement of said container in said lowered position, and stop means selectively actuable for engaging said second frame and stopping the descending movement thereof at a drain position wherein said container is disposed intermediate of said raised and said lowered positions and 'above a treating receptacle whereby drainage of the treating solution from the Workpieces in the container is facilitated as said container is rotated.

6. In a conveying machine for immersing workpieces in a treating receptacle, the combination comprising a framework, a rail on said framework, a work carrier including a rst frame movably mounted on said rail and a second frame guidably mounted on said first frame for up` and down movement thereon, a workpiece con tainer rotatably mounted on said second frame, power means on said second frame for moving said second frame and said container thereon to and from a raised position wherein said container is disposed above ia treating receptacle to a lowered position wherein said container is disposed in a treating receptacle and for rotating said container when in said lowered position and during the ascending and descending movement thereof, coacting means on -said first and said second frame for limiting the descending movement of said container in said lowered position, and stop means on said framework adjacent to said rail `and selectively movable to and from an operative position and an inoperative position, said stop means when in said operative position disposed in engaging alignment with said second iframe for engaging and stopping the descending movement thereof at a drain position disposed intermediate of said raised and said lowered positions and above a treating receptacle whereby drainage of the treating solution fnom the workpieces in said container is facilitated as said container is rotated, said stop means when in said inoperative position disposed out of engaging lalignment with said second frame.

7. In a conveying machine for immersing workpieces in a treating receptacle, the `combination comprising a framework, a rail on said framework, a work carrier including a first frame movably mounted on said rail and a second frame guidably mounted on said Iirst frame for up and down movement thereon, a workpiece container rotatably mounted on said second frame, power means on said second frame for moving said second frame and said container thereon to and from a raised position where. in said container is disposed above a treating receptacle to a lowered position wherein said container is disposed in said receptacle and for rotating said container while in said lowered position and during the ascending and de scending movement thereof, coacting means on said first and said second frames for limiting the descending movement of said container in said lowered position, and stop means on said framework disposed adjacent to said rail for selectively engaging said second frame and stopping the descending movement thereof at a drain position wherein said container is disposed intermediate said raised and said lowered positions and above a treating receptacle whereby drainage of the treating solution from the workpieces in said container is facilitated as said container is rotated, said stop means comprising a longitudinally reciprocable member on said framework, an engaging shoe on said member and reciprocable thereby to and from an operative position wherein said shoe is disposed so as to engage said second frame on the descending movement thereof and an inoperative position spaced therefrom, means for reciprocating said member, and control means for controlling said power means and the reciprocating movement of said reciprocable member.

8. In a conveying machine for immersing workpieces in a treating receptacle, the combination comprising a framework, a rail on said framework, a work carrier including a first frame movably mounted on said rail and a second frame guidably mounted on said first frame for up and down movement thereon, a workpiece container rotatably mounted on said second frame, reversible drive means mounted on said second frame operative when driving in one direction for moving said second frame and said container thereon from a raised position above a treating receptacle to a lowered position wherein said container and workpieces therein are disposed in the receptacle and for concurrently rotating said container when in said lowered position and during the descending movement thereof, said drive means operable when driven in the opposite direction for moving said frame and said container thereon from said lowered position to said raised position and for concurrently rotating said container during the ascending movement thereof, and engaging means on said iirst and said second frames for limiting the descending movement of said container in said lowered position, stop means on said framework adjacent to said rail and selectively movable to and from an operative position and an inoperative position, said stop means when in said operative position disposed in engaging alignment with said second frame for engaging and stopping the descending movement thereof at a drain position disposed intermediate of said raised and said lowered positions and above a treating receptacle whereby drainage of the treating solution from the workpieces in said container is facilitated as said container -is rotated, said stop means when in said inoperative position disposed out of engaging alignment with said second frame.

9. In a conveying machine for immersing workpieces in a treating receptacle, the combination comprising a framework, a rail on said framework, a work carrier including a first frame movably mounted on said rail and a second frame guidably mounted on said irst frame for up and down movement thereon, a workpiece container rotatably mounted on said second frame, reversible drive means mounted on said second frame for moving said second frame and said container thereon to and `from a raised position above a treating receptacle and a lowered position wherein said container and workpieces therein are disposed in a receptacle and for concurrently rotating said [container when `in said lowered position and during the ascending and descending movement thereof, said reversible drive means including shaft means rotatably mounted on said second frame, coacting means on said shaft means and said lirst frame for relative driving therethrough, overrunning coupling means on said shaft means drivingly connected to a reversible motor means on said second frame, means drivingly connecting said container to said motor means for rotation thereof in response to rotation of said motor means, said motor means when rotated in one direction operative to rotate said container and said shaft means and move said second frame upwardly and when rotated in the opposite direction operative in combination with said overrunning coupling means to rotate said container and for releasing said shaft means to provide for downward gravity actuated movement of said second frame, coacting means on said rst and said second frames for limiting the downward gravity actuated movement of said container when it attains said lowered position, and stop means on said framework disposed adjacent to said rail for selectively engaging said second frame and stopping the gravity actuated descending movement thereof at a drain position wherein said container is disposed intermediate said raised and said lowered positions and above a treating receptacle whereby drainage of the treating solution from the workpieces in said container is facilitated as said container is rotated, said stop means comprising a longitudinally reciprocable member on said framework, an engaging shoe on said member and reciprocable thereby to and from an operative position wherein said shoe is disposed so as to engage said second frame on the gravity actuated descending movement thereof and an inoperative position spaced therefrom, means for reciprocating said member, and control means for controlling said reversible drive means and coordinating the reciprocating movement of said reciprocable member.

l0. In a conveying machine `for immersing workpieces in a yseries of treating receptacles the combination comprising a framework, a rail ion Isaid framework, a plurality of work carriers movabtly mounted on said rail, advancing means ,for intermittently advancing said work carriers along said rail, each of said work carriers comprising a first frame inovably mounted on said rail and a second lframe guideably mounted on said first frame for up and down movement thereon, a workpiece container rotatably mounted on :said second frame, power means on said second frame for moving :said second frame and said container thereon to and from a raised position wherein said container is disposed above a treating receptacle to a lowered position wherein said 'container is disposed in a receptacle and lfor rotating. said container while in said lowered position and during the ascending land descending movement thereof, coacting means on isaid first and said second frames for limiting the descending movement of :said container in said lowered position, 'and stop means extending longitudinally of said rail and mounted on said framework and selectively actu-able for engaging said second frame of selected ones of said work carriers and stopping the descending movement thereof at a drain position wherein said containers are disposed intermediate of said raised and said lowered positions and above a treating receptacle whereby drainage of the treating solution from the workpieces in said containers is facilitated `as said containers are rotated in said drain position.

|11.- In a work carrier for immersing workpieceis in a treating receptacle, the combination comprising a supporting frame, a workpiece container movably and rotatably mounted on said supporting frame for up and down movement thereon, means for moving said container from a raised Iposition labove a treating receptacle to a lowered position in la treating receptacle, means for rotating said container while in said lowered position, means for rotating and raising said container from said lowered position to said raised position, means for lowering said container :from -said raised position to la drain position disposed intermediate Iof said raised Iposition and said lowered position wherein said container is disposed above the treating receptacle, stop means selectively operable for supporting isaid container vwhile in said drain position, means for rotating said container in -said drain position thereby facilitatng drainage .of the treating solution 4from the workpieces therein, and means for rotating and raising said container from said drain position to said raised position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,335,912 Olson Apr. 6, 1920 1,712,751 Cunningham May 14, 1929 1,848,391 Simpson M-ar. 8, 1932 2,178,701 Petre Nov. 7, 1939 I2,566,819 Baltsois Sept. 4, 1951 '2,741,252 Davis Apr. 10, `1956 2,912,989 Borodin Nov. 17, 1959 

11. IN A WORK CARRIER FOR IMMERSING WORKPIECES IN A TREATING RECEPTACLE, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING A SUPPORTING FRAME, A WORKPIECE CONTAINER MOVABLY AND ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORTING FRAME FOR UP AND DOWN MOVEMENT THEREON, MEANS FOR MOVING SAID CONTAINER FROM A RAISED POSITION ABOVE A TREATING RECEPTACLE TO A LOWERED POSITION IN A TREATING RECEPTACLE, MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID CONTAINER WHILE IN SAID LOWERED POSITION, MEANS FOR ROTATING AND RAISING SAID CONTAINER FROM SAID LOWERED POSITION TO SAID RAISED POSITION, MEANS FOR LOWERING SAID CONTAINER FROM SAID RAISED POSITION TO A DRAIN POSITION DISPOSED INTERMEDIATE OF SAID RAISED POSITION AND SAID LOWERED POSITION WHEREIN SAID CONTAINER IS DISPOSED ABOVE THE TREATING RECEPTACLE, STOP MEANS SELECTIVELY OPERABLE FOR SUPPORTING SAID CONTAINER WHILE IN SAID DRAIN POSITION, MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID CONTAINER IN SAID DRAIN POSITION THEREBY FACILITATING DRAINAGE OF THE TREATING SOLUTION FROM THE WORKPIECES THEREIN, AND MEANS FOR ROTATING AND RAISING SAID CONTAINER FROM SAID DRAIN POSITION TO SAID RAISED POSITION. 